Archaeological Services Center

ADC Archeologie, formally the Archeologisch Diensten Centrum (Archaeological Services Center), is a leading Dutch commercial archaeology firm and one of the largest archaeological companies in the Netherlands. It operates as part of ADC Group and is headquartered in Amersfoort, with a branch in Vught. The organization traces its origins to the Joan Willems Stichting (JWS), a support foundation for the Rijksdienst voor het Oudheidkundig Bodemonderzoek (ROB, now the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands). In 1998, the JWS was privatized with the help of Roel Brandt, who became the first director of ADC. The company was established to meet the rapidly growing demand for archaeological research driven by the Valletta Treaty (Malta Convention). ADC offers a comprehensive range of archaeological services, including desk-based assessments, borehole surveys, program of requirements, trial trenching, archaeological supervision, excavations, archaeological advice, specialist research, conservation and restoration, policy and heritage management, public archaeology, and underwater archaeology (ADC Maritiem). The company is certified to conduct all types of archaeological research, including in areas requiring extra safety attention. It serves businesses, government bodies, and private individuals. Over the years, ADC has expanded its expertise and structure. It was owned by the Dutch state from 2003 to 2006, when it was taken over by its then directors Jan Hendriks and Dorien Fröling and converted into a holding. The holding included ADC ArcheoProjecten, ADC Heritage, and ADC ArcheoWerk. In 2010, it acquired the archaeological project bureau Jacobs & Burnier. Between 2012 and 2021, it had a sister company in Flanders, the Vlaams Erfgoed Centrum. From 2014 to 2020, it operated the Huis van Hilde museum in Castricum. In 2022, a majority stake was acquired by Midas Holding, the investment company of M. D. Schönberger. In 2023, ADC merged with the Hendrik Brunsting Stichting (HBS), formerly part of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In 2025, ADC Group was formed following the acquisition of Armaex BV and a merger with Explosive Clearance Group in Wijchen, adding expertise in explosive remnants of war (ERW) and ground radar, as well as ecological advice. ADC is also involved in scientific research through the Stichting RoelBrandt, established in 2009, which aims to translate archaeological knowledge to academic and societal fields. The company has a trainee program for young archaeologists and earth scientists. Its daily management is led by a director team consisting of Eric Jacobs and Henk van der Velde.

The Archeologisch Diensten Centrum (ADC) was founded in 1998 as a privatization of the Joan Willems Stichting (JWS), a support foundation that had operated since 1991 for the Rijksdienst voor het Oudheidkundig Bodemonderzoek (ROB, now the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands). The aim was to conduct archaeological research, the volume of which was rapidly increasing due to the Valletta Treaty (Malta Convention). After the minister decided that the ROB would no longer carry out archaeological policy, it was decided to privatize the foundation with the help of Roel Brandt, among others. In 1998, Roel Brandt became the founder and first director of ADC, laying the foundation for the company. He remained director until 2001. Starting a business proved difficult for ADC, and it operated without a legal framework. In 2004, an official tolerance policy came into effect regarding the implementation of the Valletta Treaty, which only became legislation in 2007. As a result, the company's shares were taken over by the national government in 2003. In 2006, the two then directors, Jan Hendriks and Dorien Fröling, took over the company from the Ministry of Finance and converted it into a holding. Besides ADC ArcheoProjecten (for archaeological field research and advice), the holding also included ADC Heritage (for heritage policy and public participation) and ADC ArcheoWerk (a temporary employment agency for archaeological personnel). ADC ArcheoWerk was transferred to the independent Alefgroep in 2001. On 1 June 2010, the archaeological project bureau Jacobs & Burnier was acquired and incorporated into ADC ArcheoProjecten. The activities of ADC Heritage were integrated from 2022 partly into ADC Archeologie and partly into NMF. Between 2012 and 2021, ADC also had a sister company in Flanders, the Vlaams Erfgoed Centrum. Additionally, between 2014 and 2020, it operated the Huis van Hilde museum in Castricum, which was taken over by the Province of North Holland on 1 January 2021. In 2022, a majority of the shares were acquired by Midas Holding, the investment company of M. D. Schönberger. In 2023, the organization merged with the Hendrik Brunsting Stichting (HBS, then part of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). Together they form ADC Archeologie. In 2025, ADC Group was established following the acquisition of Armaex BV and a merger with Explosive Clearance Group in Wijchen. As a result, ADC Archeologie is not only flexible and expert in archaeological research, but the group also has expertise in research into explosive remnants of war (ERW) and the use of ground radar. It also has ecology advisors in-house, and ADC Group is able to shape integrated environmental law projects in which all these fields of knowledge play a role. The ADC Stichting RoelBrandt was established in 2009. It has ANBI status and aims to translate the increase in scientific knowledge resulting from archaeological activities into the academic and societal field. The foundation seeks to stimulate and increase support for archaeological research, aligning with the ideals of one of the founders of commercial archaeology in the Netherlands, Roel Brandt, who was also the first director of ADC. ADC Archeologie is part of ADC Group. Daily management is in the hands of a director team (Eric Jacobs and Henk van der Velde). ADC is certified to carry out all archaeological research. A separate department handles prospective archaeological research and advises clients on the follow-up trajectory. The execution of excavation research lies with a department in which both project leaders and junior archaeologists work. The organization also houses the most requested archaeological specialisms, enabling ADC to offer services in conservation, ceramics and metal research, building materials, stone, botany, zoology, wood, and archaeological leather and textiles. Within ADC, attention is paid to the development of young archaeologists. A trainee program has been active for five years, guiding recently graduated archaeologists and earth scientists into suitable positions within the archaeological field.

• 2025

  ADC Group is established following the acquisition of Armaex BV and merger with Explosive Clearance Group.

• 2023

  ADC merges with the Hendrik Brunsting Stichting (HBS), forming ADC Archeologie.

• 2022

  Midas Holding acquires a majority of shares; ADC Heritage activities integrated into ADC Archeologie and NMF.

• 2021

  Huis van Hilde museum is taken over by the Province of North Holland on 1 January.

• 2014

  ADC begins operating the Huis van Hilde museum in Castricum (until 2020).

• 2012

  ADC establishes a sister company in Flanders, the Vlaams Erfgoed Centrum (until 2021).

• 2010

  Archaeological project bureau Jacobs & Burnier is acquired and incorporated into ADC ArcheoProjecten.

• 2009

  Stichting RoelBrandt is established.

• 2007

  The Valletta Treaty is implemented into legislation.

• 2006

  Directors Jan Hendriks and Dorien Fröling take over the company from the Ministry of Finance and convert it into a holding.

• 2004

  Official tolerance policy for the implementation of the Valletta Treaty comes into effect; ADC establishes headquarters in Amersfoort.

• 2003

  Shares in the company are taken over by the national government.

• 2001

  Roel Brandt steps down as director; ADC ArcheoWerk transferred to Alefgroep.

• 1998

  ADC is founded as a privatization of JWS; Roel Brandt becomes first director.

• 1991

  Joan Willems Stichting (JWS) begins operating as a support foundation for the Rijksdienst voor het Oudheidkundig Bodemonderzoek (ROB).

A reliable, professional, and expert partner for businesses, government, and private individuals, with a passion for the past and an eye for the future.

• Desk-based assessments

• Borehole surveys

• Program of requirements (PvE)

• Trial trenching

• Archaeological supervision

• Archaeological excavations

• Archaeological advice

• Specialist research

• Conservation and restoration

• Policy and heritage management

• Public archaeology

• Underwater archaeology (ADC Maritiem)

1. 1Archeologie.nlarcheologie.nl
2. 2Wikidata: Archaeological Services Centerwikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia: Archeologisch Diensten Centrumnl.wikipedia.org